Foreign-born workers in the U.S. labor force

Abraham T. Mosisa

This Spotlight highlights the labor market characteristics of foreign-born workers using data from the Current Population Survey (CPS). The foreign born are persons who reside in the United States but who were born outside the country or one of its outlying areas to parents who were not U.S. citizens. The foreign born include legally admitted immigrants, refugees, temporary residents such as students and temporary workers, and undocumented immigrants. The survey data, however, do not separately identify the numbers of persons in these categories. The native born are persons born in the United States or one of its outlying areas such as Puerto Rico or Guam or who were born abroad of at least one parent who was a U.S. citizen. Comparable data on nativity have been collected as part of the CPS since 1996.

Foreign-born workers represented 16.1 percent of the U.S. labor force in 2012

In 2012, there were 25 million foreign-born persons age 16 years and older in the U.S. labor force, representing 16.1 percent of the total. About 130 million workers were native born, making up the remaining 83.9 percent of the total U.S. labor force. About 38 percent (9.5 million workers) of the foreign born were from Mexico and Central America, and 28 percent (7 million workers) were from Asia (including the Middle East). The share of foreign–born workers from Europe and the Caribbean was about 10 percent for each.

Percent of the U.S. labor force that is foreign born, 1996–2012 annual averages

Year

Percent

1996

10.8

1997

11.3

1998

11.7

1999

11.9

2000

13.3

2001

13.8

2002

14.0

2003

14.4

2004

14.5

2005

14.8

2006

15.3

2007

15.7

2008

15.6

2009

15.5

2010

15.8

2011

15.9

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The percentage of foreign-born workers in the U.S labor force has grown since 1996

The share of the labor force that is foreign born grew steadily from 1996 to 2007, increasing from 10.8 percent to 15.7 percent over that period. After showing little change in 2008 and 2009, the share of the foreign-born labor force resumed a general upward trend, reaching 16.1 percent in 2012. Over the 1996–2012 period, the total labor force increased by about 21 million and more than half (about 11 million) of the increase was among the foreign born.

Percent distribution of the foreign born and the native born in the U.S. labor force by age, 2012 annual averages

Age

Foreign born

Native born

16 to 24 years

7.6

14.9

25 to 54 years

75.6

63.4

55 years and over

16.8

21.7

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Foreign-born workers were more likely than native-born workers to be ages 25 to 54

In 2012, more than three-fourths (75.6 percent) of the foreign-born labor force were between the ages of 25 and 54, whereas less than two-thirds (63.4 percent) of the native-born labor force were in that age group. In contrast, the share of the labor force age 55 and older was higher for the native born than for the foreign born: 21.7 percent versus 16.8 percent. The share of those ages 16 to 24 also was higher for the native born than for the foreign born: 14.9 percent versus 7.6 percent.

Percent of the foreign born and the native born in the U.S. labor force by race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, 2012 annual averages

Race, ethnicity

Foreign born

Native born

White

18.2

74.9

Black

8.7

11.6

Asian

23.7

1.5

Hispanic or Latino

48.3

9.5

Other

1.2

2.5

Note: Data for Whites, Blacks, and Asians do not include persons identified as Hispanics or Latinos.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Hispanics made up nearly half of the foreign-born labor force in 2012

Hispanics made up 48.3 percent of the foreign-born labor force in 2012, compared with 9.5 percent of the native-born labor force. By contrast, Whites made up 18.2 percent of the foreign-born labor force and 74.9 percent of the native-born labor force. A greater share of the foreign-born labor force was Asian (23.7 percent) than was the native-born labor force (1.5 percent). Blacks made up 8.7 percent of the foreign-born labor force and 11.6 percent of the native-born labor force.

Labor force participation rates of the foreign born and the native born by gender, 2012 annual averages

Gender

Foreign born

Native born

Total

66.3

63.2

Men

78.5

68.6

Women

54.8

58.2

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Foreign-born men were more likely to be in the labor force; foreign-born women were less likely

In 2012, the labor force participation rate was 66.3 percent for the foreign born and 63.2 percent for the native born. Men were more likely than women to be in the labor force, regardless of their nativity.

As has historically been the case, foreign-born men were more likely to be labor force participants (78.5 percent) than were native-born men (68.6 percent). In contrast, foreign-born women were less likely than native-born women to be in the labor force, 54.8 percent versus 58.2 percent.

Unemployment rates of the foreign born and the native born in the U.S. labor force, 1996–2012 annual averages

Year

Native born

Foreign born

1996

5.3

7.0

1997

4.8

6.1

1998

4.4

5.3

1999

4.1

4.8

2000

4.0

4.2

2001

4.7

5.2

2002

5.7

6.3

2003

5.9

6.6

2004

5.5

5.5

2005

5.2

4.6

2006

4.7

4.0

2007

4.7

4.3

2008

5.8

5.8

2009

9.2

9.7

2010

9.6

9.8

2011

8.9

9.1

2012

8.1

8.1

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

From 2008 to 2012, the jobless rates of the foreign born and the native born were about the same

From 1996 to 2003, the jobless rate of the foreign born was higher than that of the native born. From 2005 to 2007, the unemployment rate for the foreign born was below the rate of the native born. The jobless rates of the foreign born and the native born were about the same from 2008 to 2012.

Unemployment rates of the foreign born and the native born in the U.S. labor force by gender, 2012 annual averages

Gender

Foreign born

Native born

Total

8.1

8.1

Men

7.5

8.4

Women

8.9

7.7

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The unemployment rates for the foreign born and the native born differ by gender

In 2012, the jobless rate for both the foreign born and native born was 8.1 percent. The unemployment rate for foreign-born men was lower than for native-born men: 7.5 percent versus 8.4 percent. Among women, however, the jobless rate for the foreign born was higher than that of the native born: 8.9 percent versus 7.7 percent.

Percent distribution of the foreign born and the native born 25 years and over in the U.S. labor force by race, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, and educational attainment, 2012 annual averages

Education level

White

Black

Asian

Hispanic or Latino

Foreign born

Native born

Foreign born

Native born

Foreign born

Native born

Foreign born

Native born

Less than a high school diploma

6.0

4.0

9.1

7.3

7.8

3.2

43.6

12.5

High school graduates, no college

21.8

26.9

29.6

33.5

18.1

13.8

28.9

33.0

Some college or associate degree

20.6

29.3

27.2

34.1

16.0

21.8

14.9

32.5

Bachelor's degree and higher

51.6

39.8

34.1

25.2

58.1

61.1

12.6

22.0

Note: Data for Whites, Blacks, and Asians do not include persons identified as Hispanics or Latinos.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education levels of foreign- and native-born workers varied by race and ethnicity

In 2012, 43.6 percent of foreign-born Hispanics who were in the labor force had less than a high school education and 12.6 percent had college degrees. By comparison, 12.5 percent of native-born Hispanics had not completed high school and 22.0 percent had graduated from college.

The proportions of foreign-born Whites and Blacks who had not completed high school were 6.0 percent and 9.1 percent, respectively. The proportions of those with college degrees were 51.6 percent for Whites and 34.1 percent for Blacks.

Among the native born, 4.0 percent of Whites and 7.3 percent of Blacks in the labor force had less than a high school education. The proportions of native-born Whites and Blacks who had college degrees were 39.8 percent and 25.2 percent, respectively.

Regardless of nativity, Asians have the highest proportion of college graduates of any race or ethnic group. For example, 58.1 percent of foreign-born Asians and 61.1 percent of native-born Asians had a bachelor's degree or higher in 2012.

Percent distribution of the employed foreign born and native born by race, Hispanic or Latino ethnicity, and occupation, 2012 annual averages

Occupation

White

Black

Asian

Hispanic or Latino

Foreign born

Native born

Foreign born

Native born

Foreign born

Native born

Foreign born

Native born

Management, professional, and related

47.2

45.8

32.5

29.6

48.3

50.7

13.7

27.7

Service

22.8

17.6

29.4

24.8

19.4

14.9

30.9

21.7

Sales and office

24.6

31.6

19.2

25.5

18.8

24.1

13.8

28.8

Natural resources, construction, and maintenance

0.4

0.7

4.9

5.3

3.2

3.9

21.2

8.7

Production, transportation, and material moving

5.1

4.3

14.0

14.8

10.2

6.4

20.5

13.2

Note: Data for Whites, Blacks, and Asians do not include persons identified as Hispanics or Latinos.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

A larger share of the foreign born than of the native born worked in service occupations

Roughly similar proportions of employed foreign- and native-born Whites, Blacks, and Asians were employed in management, professional, and related occupations—the highest paying major job category—in 2012. Foreign-born Hispanics were less likely to be employed in management, professional, and related occupations than were their native-born counterparts: 13.7 percent versus 27.7 percent. In contrast, a larger share of foreign-born Hispanics than native-born Hispanics were working in service occupations; natural resources, construction, and maintenance occupations; and in production, transportation, and material moving occupations.

In all race and ethnicity groups, a larger share of the foreign born than of the native born worked in service occupations in 2012. In contrast, a smaller share of the foreign born than the native born in all race and ethnicity groups worked in sales and office occupations.

Foreign-born workers tend to earn less per week than native-born workers

In 2012, the median usual weekly earnings of foreign-born full-time wage and salary workers were $625, compared with $797 for their native-born counterparts. The lower earnings of the foreign born partially reflect that foreign-born workers tend to have lower levels of educational attainment. In general, earnings are higher for people with more education.

Foreign-born men earned about 74.1 percent as much as native-born men: $665 per week, compared with $898 per week. Among women, the foreign born earned about 83.0 percent as much as the native born: $589 per week, compared with $710 per week. For both the native born and the foreign born, women’s earnings were lower than those of men.

Note: Data for Whites, Blacks, and Asians do not include persons identified as Hispanics or Latinos.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Regardless of nativity, Whites and Asians earned more per week than Blacks and Hispanics

Among both foreign-born and native-born full-time wage and salary workers, median usual weekly earnings of Whites and Asians were considerably higher than for Blacks and Hispanics. Among Hispanics, foreign-born workers earned less than native-born workers. The median weekly earnings of foreign-born and native-born White, Black, and Asian workers were similar.

Median usual weekly earnings of foreign-born and native-born full-time wage and salary workers 25 years and over by educational attainment, 2012 annual averages

Education level

Foreign born

Native born

Less than a high school diploma

$428

$510

High school graduates, no college

550

675

Some college or associate degree

673

758

Bachelor's degree

990

1,077

Advanced degree

1,420

1,365

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Weekly earnings for the foreign born and native born were higher for those with more education

Among both the native born and the foreign born, earnings increased with education. In 2012, the earnings of foreign-born and native-born workers with less than a high school diploma were about a third of those with an advanced degree. At most levels of educational attainment, foreign-born full-time wage and salary workers earned less than their native-born counterparts. The earnings of foreign-born and native-born workers with advanced degrees were not much different.

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Abraham T. Mosisa is an economist in the Division of Labor Force Statistics, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. You can contact him at mosisa.abraham@bls.gov.

The CPS is a monthly survey of about 60,000 households that obtains information on employment and unemployment among the nation’s civilian noninstitutional population age 16 and over. The presentation of the data on race and ethnicity in this Spotlight differs from that which appears in most analyses of CPS labor force data. The data are presented for White non-Hispanic, Black non-Hispanic, Asian non-Hispanic, and for persons of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. Because persons of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity can be of any race, they are usually included in the race groups as well as shown separately in the Hispanic or Latino ethnicity group. The reason for the difference in the data presentation in this Spotlight is because about half of the foreign born are of Hispanic or Latino ethnicity (a much larger share than for the native born) and they have somewhat different labor force characteristics than the non-Hispanic foreign born. For more information on CPS data about the foreign born, see http://www.bls.gov/cps/demographics.htm#foreignborn.

For additional reading on the foreign born in the U.S. labor force, see the following articles from the Monthly Labor Review: